First Covid vaccine for children over 12 years of age approved in India

The CEO of Medicines on Friday issued emergency authorization for the ZycovD vaccine, a COVID19 vaccine developed by the Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadilla team, making it the first vaccine in India that can be used for both adults and seniors as young as 12. it is the only DNA-based vaccine in the world that can be injected without a needle, which is said to minimize the risk of a reaction.

Interim results from a Phase III clinical trial conducted in July with over 28,000 volunteers showed a primary efficacy rate of 66.6% in cases of symptomatic RTPCR. “This is India’s largest COVID19 vaccine trial to date. This vaccine has demonstrated strong immunogenicity, tolerability and safety in phase I / II clinical trials. The adaptation has already been carried out earlier. The tests were overseen by the independent data security oversight board (DSMB), ”the Department of Biotechnology said in a statement Friday.

The vaccine was developed jointly with the Ministry of Biotechnology as part of the Suraksh COVID Mission. The three-dose vaccine, given once, produces a peak in the SARSCoV2 virus protein and elicits an immune response. “Plug and play technology, based on plasmid DNA, can be easily adapted to combat mutations in viruses such as those already occurring,” notes DBT. Renu Swarup, DBT’s secretary, told The Hindu that with approval, the vaccine will be available “very soon” and storage has begun.

In previous statements, the company has said it expects to make 10-12 crore doses annually and five crore by the year-end.

“We are extremely happy that our efforts to put out a safe, well tolerated and efficacious vaccine to fight COVID-19 has become a reality with ZyCoV-D. To create the world’s first DNA vaccine at such a crucial juncture and despite all the challenges, is a tribute to the Indian research scientists and their spirit of innovation,” Pankaj Patel, Chairman, Zydus Group said in a statement.